Job Description for School Innovation Coach

Position Title: School Innovation Coach

Reports To: Principal of Seventh Street Elementary School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Licensed Amount of Travel: Minimal

Job Status: Full-Time Level: Campus Support

Work Schedule: 190 Days Date Created: April 2023

Salary Range: $37,750 to $70,900 + Stipend

Position Summary: The North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) is seeking exceptional applications for the position of School Innovation Coach. This newly reorganized role is to serve as the liaison between Seventh Street Elementary School and the Coordinator of School Innovation as well as the community. The coach is responsible for the coordination of implementing the campus reconfiguration and Transformation Model vision aimed to create an innovative school using innovative approaches to existing instructional and administrative practices that are intended to improve academic performance and learning for all students. The primary work of coach will work with school-based leadership teams to ensure a high level of instructional leadership to implement new innovative systems, structures, processes, and procedures to eliminate gaps in student learning through equity practices. Through a lens of equity, structures, culture, and support, provides instructional support for school innovation programs with a focus on improved student performance and building the professional capacity of classroom teachers and school-based leaders.

The E4 District Transformation Model ensures all students will be provided with guaranteed learning opportunities to expose, explore, expand, and excel through various themed models, an avenue for students to be future-ready upon graduation. Seventh Street Elementary School will be the first innovative school developed through the E4 initiative. In accordance with the new vision of preparing our students to be future-ready, additional professional development will be required as well as a commitment to providing the highest quality of rigorous, relevant, and innovative education through project-based learning. All students that attend the newly reconfigured school will have access to high-quality staff that are committed to working in partnership with families, community members, businesses, and industry partners to provide guaranteed learning experiences.

This position also includes an additional stipend that will be based upon the following criteria:

(a) signed school reconfiguration non-negotiable form, (b) 95% attendance at professional development sessions offered prior, during, and after the regular school year, (c) 95% attendance to Professional Learning Community Meetings, (d) successful implementation of daily standards-based instruction and monitoring to include rigorous, relevant, and innovative learning practices with fidelity, (e) successful implementation of PBL signature projects with fidelity, (f) satisfactory teacher/administrator evaluation performance rating, and (g) meet or exceed school performance learning targets outlined in the school improvement plan and aligned with the individual teacher/administrator professional growth plan.

Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The School Innovation Coach’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a member of the campus leadership instructional support team.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among campus administrators and teachers to district curriculum leaders to implement innovative approaches to learning to improve student achievement and growth and involve students in real-world learning experiences.
• Directly lead the campus with the innovation process to help support the strategic transformation to improve teaching and learning at the school.
• Create and sustain a network of partnerships that contribute ideas and energy to the school’s innovative model and provide technical assistance as needed.
• Continue to lead buy-in for and excitement around school innovation among internal and external stakeholders.
• Connect local business, community partnerships and resources with the school to make learning relevant and meaningful by developing innovative projects and service learning experiences for real-world learning.
• Connect local business and community partnerships with the school that are experts in the themed area for specialized short-term integrated projects that provide relevant, real-world, hands-on learning experiences for all students.
• Coordinates with school and industry partners to create innovative educational learning experiences during extended day (after school programs) and extended year (summer school programs).
• Support the principal and school-based leadership team in approaches to provide innovative learning environments that enable every student to achieve at high levels and to be successful academically, emotionally, and socially.
• Support the principal, school-based leadership team, and classroom teachers in the implementation of Project-Based Learning (PBL).
• Actively participates and co-facilitates in the Community Advisory Board (CAB).
• Collaborate with the leadership to support and ensure the integration of the district’s curriculum and instructional objectives at the school level integrated with new and innovative teaching practices.
• Directly works alongside the school leadership team to support the navigation of the innovation process and help the school take actions to transform education for all students.
• Support the building principal with implementing a shared vision for student achievement through innovation.
• Monitor performance of the school by regularly and collaboratively reviewing school and student-level data to drive continuous improvement.
• Support professional learning communities to promote innovative thinking and collaborative learning among campus leaders and classroom teachers.
• Continuously develop and support the implementation of project-based learning projects at each grade level.
• Assists the Coordinator of School Innovation in implementing the Superintendent’s E4 the Future District Transformation Model vision aimed to create innovative schools in new or creative ways to existing instructional and administrative practices that are intended to improve academic performance and learning for all students.
• Perform other related work as required and directed by the campus principal.

Competencies: Comprehensive knowledge of the district innovation process. Comprehensive knowledge of school district goals and outcomes, and procedures. Knowledge and ability to school-based innovative approaches to improve teaching and learning. Ability to demonstrate strong internal and external support for the NLRSD. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Excellent knowledge and understanding of all facets of research on innovative school practices. Highly effective organizational and consensus-building skills. Knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures of the NLRSD. Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate the innovation process at the school.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed Arkansas Teacher or meets qualifications and requirements for reciprocity or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure preferred.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to job duties and responsibilities preferred.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of teaching or related experience to the job duties and responsibilities preferred.
• Experience with educational accountability measures including federal educational reform efforts, state and local standards and assessments, knowledge of systemic organizational thinking, organizational leadership, and change management.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, creative problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success.
• Experience in an urban school district is preferred.

Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties.

School Innovation Knowledge and Expertise:

• Knowledge of best instructional practices for innovative teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of topics related to the general field of educational trends and reform efforts.
• Capable of providing support to implement the Superintendent’s E4 the Future vision for the North Little Rock School District community to transform learning systems that are student-focused.
• Knowledge of state and district data trends as the formation for change and improvement.
• Knowledge of local and community partnerships, networks, and learning communities to support the transformation of teaching and learning at this school.
• Knowledge of local state school of innovation law.
• Knowledge of fundamentals, principles, and trends in the innovation process related to the field of education.
• Knowledge of procedures, practices, and methods in planning, evaluating, and designing innovative educational school models, programs, and services at the school level.
• Fundamentals of public relations theories and techniques in promoting, advertising, and/or informing the public of programs, events, and activities related to school innovation.

Work Environment:

• Work is primarily conducted in an office or school setting. Prolonged stationary work and attention to a desk or computer tasks are required. This position is cognitively demanding and requires especially well-developed professional social skills and communication skills. Movement in and about schools and office buildings/grounds is a frequent requirement and the ability to carry or lift items 75 lbs. or less.

Empathy and Commitment to Cause:

• Deep commitment to improving student achievement and employee performance.
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Demonstrates cultural competence, equity, and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing minority and economically disadvantaged families and students requiring special services.

Problem-Solving and Systems Thinking:

• Understands how various systems and departments interact to achieve district goals.
• Makes decisions using data and technology.
• Takes initiative to solve problems.
• Identifies and prioritizes mission-critical issues with alignment of people, time and resources.
• Offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
• Exhibits a strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success.
• Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that the school has the resources they need to succeed.
• Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects.

Leadership Skills:

• Motivates, inspires, and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups.
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to campus personnel, students, families, and the community.
• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings.
• Exhibits transformational and servant leadership characteristics in daily work.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other roles and responsibilities as the deputy superintendent and or their designee may assign.